Veteran coach Yussif Basigi has been appointed to lead Police Ladies at the upcoming 2025 WAFU B Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Côte d’Ivoire, stepping in for Abu Kassim Tabasu due to licensing requirements.
Although Kassim guided Police Ladies to a historic Ghana Women’s Premier League title in the 2024/25 season, clinching their first-ever championship with a memorable victory over Ampem Darkoa Ladies, he does not hold the requisite CAF license to manage a team in continental competitions.
Speaking during the club’s Media Day at their Awutu Winton Senior High School Park base, Kassim explained his sidelining.
“I am not going to lead the team tactically or technically because I’m not qualified to be the head coach in Africa. I’m a License B holder, that is why Yussif Basigi is here. He is going to sit in as the head when we go there.”
Yussif Basigi brings a wealth of experience to the role. He previously led Hasaacas Ladies to the finals of the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League in 2021, where they finished runners-up to South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.
The WAFU B tournament, which serves as the regional qualifier for the CAF Women’s Champions League, will feature tough competition including Bayelsa Queens (Nigeria), ASEC Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire), AS GNN (Niger), USFA (Burkina Faso), Asko (Togo), and Sam Nelly (Benin).
Police Ladies are aiming to make history by becoming Ghana’s second representative at the main continental tournament following Hasaacas Ladies’ 2021 success.
Club officials say Basigi’s presence is a massive boost to their chances, blending top-level continental experience with Kassim’s deep familiarity with the current squad.
As the qualifiers kick off later this month, all eyes will be on how this coaching duo navigates the regional challenge, balancing ambition with compliance in the quest for continental glory.
